Prostatitis is the swelling or inflammation of the prostate, which is a gland just below the bladder in men.  The prostate makes the majority of the semen that carries sperm.  While 5-10% of cases are caused by bacterial infections, Prostatitis does not raise a man's risk of developing Prostate Cancer.  Prostatitis accounts for about 25% of all office visits where patients are describing pain in the genital area.  While Prostatitis can affect men of all ages, it is more common in men over age 50. 

Depending on the man, symptoms of Prostatitis can develop quickly or may come on more slowly.  Sometimes men may not even experience symptoms, but the most common symptom is a frequent urge to urinate.  Symptoms will be more pronounced if the person has Acute Bacterial Prostatitis, which is a bacterial infection that starts suddenly.  Common symptoms are below. 

• Frequent urge to urinate
• Trouble urinating (dribbling or hesitant urination)
• Urgent need to urinate
• Burning sensation during urination
• Chills or fever
• Abdominal, lower back, or groin pain
• Flu-like symptoms
• Painful orgasms 
• Pain or discomfort in penis or testicles

Prostatits is most commonly caused by bacteria that leak into the prostate from the urinary tract.  The same bacteria that can cause a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) can also be responsible for infecting the prostate.  One can also develop Prostatitis as a result of contracting a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD), such as Chlamydia, Gonnorhea, or HIV.  In many cases, if the condition is chronic, the exact cause may not clear.  Common causes include:

• Immune system disorder
• Injury to the prostate or prostate area
• Nervous system disorder
• Engage in rectal intercourse
• A recent bladder infection
• An enlarged prostate
• An abnormal urinary tract
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases

• Not only are avocados rich in magnesium, which is an essential mineral in your body, they are also superfoods that can help reduce symptoms of an Prostatits.  Avocados are loaded with healthy fats and contain beta-sitosterol, which can boost the immune system, improve urine flow, and can have an anti-inflammatory effect on the prostate.  Additional studies show that avocados can help fight the early stages of prostate cancer.
• Staying hydrated is best for proper circulation in the body.  Drinking alkaline or distilled water is best, but you can also drink herbal teas like ginger, green tea, echinacea, or astragalus, all of which can help decrease inflammation or swollen glands.  You can make a great tea, which has incredible antibacterial properties, that has 3 cups of hot water, a 1" thick slice of ginger, 1 stick of cinnamon, 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon of organic, raw honey.  The recommended amount of water to drink is eight 8oz glasses per day, or you can drink half your body weight in ounces of water.  If you weigh 150lbs, then you should drink 75oz of water every day. 
• Sesame Seeds have high levels of zinc.  Since men with enlarged prostates or Prostate Cancer tend to have low zinc levels, having proper zinc levels can help prevent early damage to the prostate.  You can also eat pumpkin seeds to boost your zinc levels, which ultimately aids your immune system.
• Saw Palmetto has been used as an herbal remedy for many years.  In more recent years, the plant’s berries have been known to help urinary tract problems, increase libido, and increase sperm production.  Saw palmetto also helps to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. You can make teas, blend it in smoothies, or find saw palmetto in herbal supplements.
• Citrus fruits often steal the limelight when it comes to vitamin C, which may help fight BPH, but bell peppers actually have higher amounts of it.  You can also get vitamin C from other veggies like dark leafy greens or broccoli.  Mixing up your sources of vitamin C may help to improve your prostate’s health.
• Green tea is a healthy beverage you should incorporate into your diet because it has a wealth of antioxidants. EGCG is the specific antioxidant in green tea that may actually help kill cancer cells in the prostate. Additionally, green tea inhibits enzymes that fuel cancer growth.  Men with prostate cancer can drink green tea to help decrease cancerous tissue and promote overall health. 
• It's best to eliminate salt, processed food, meat products, dairy products, and sugar from your diet.  Switching to a more plant-based diet can ensure that you get the most essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals without any genetically modified organisms or chemicals.  There are many fruits and vegetables that can help fight Prostatitis, such as tomatoes, cauliflower, turmeric, green tea, ginger, saw palmetto, and many more. 
• To relieve prostate pain or discomfort, you can soak the lower half of the body in a warm bath to relax the abdominal muscles.  You can also get a prostate massage to help relieve pain associated with Prostatitis.  

• Oregano
• Bell Peppers
• Oranges & Grapefruit
• Avocados
• Turmeric
• Sesame Seeds
• Saw Palmetto
• Green Tea
• Dark Leafy Greens (spinach, kale, & chard)
• Broccoli
• Tomatoes
• Cauliflower
• Apples
• Pears
• Apricots
• Plums